How to Light Your Home For Aging Eyes

According to the American Optometric Association, many adults start to experience vision problems after the age of 40. The pupil decreases in size and our eyes lose the ability to focus, which can make everyday tasks like reading more difficult. How can you improve your home’s lighting design to benefit aging eyes?

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Add Table Lamps

The simplest solution? Add more light to the rooms in your home! Table lamps are a great option because they take up minimal space and double as stylish accent pieces.

These fixtures can provide extra illumination for reading, writing, searching through drawers and walking around rooms. Choose transparent shades and consider adjustable table lamps, so you can direct light where you want.

Remove Glare

In our homes, there are many sources of glare, including exposed light bulbs, TV screens and glass top tables. Older eyes can have trouble with contrast and different light variations, but layered lighting can help combat issues with glare.

There are three main types of lighting that every room should have: Ambient, task and accent. In addition to general illumination, use focused light for close-up tasks and bring attention to the room’s best features with accent lighting. A balance of these lighting types will help eliminate glare, especially if you have dimmer switches to control each source.

Fixture placement is also critical to glare reduction. When you are sitting, light should be above and behind. For instance, if you have a floor lamp by the couch, the bottom of the lamp shade – not the light bulb – should be at your eye-level while reading.

Use Night Lights

Place night lights around the house to help you see in the early morning and late at night. It’s not healthy to expose our eyes to bright light after being in the darkness, so small night lights are the perfect solution. At Restoration Lighting Gallery, we have a great selection of porcelain lithophane night lights with unique etched designs!
 
We are your one-stop-shop for restored antique lighting, custom lampshades, home decor and cool gifts. Visit our showroom in Hartford today!

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